Cambodia - The Kingdom of Wonder Photo Holiday

Our 12-day photography expedition takes in the very best of contemporary Cambodia. Marvel at wondrous Angkor, from the most supreme of the temples to her best kept secrets tucked away in all corners of the rain forest. Lose yourself in a sea of smiles in the sprawling local markets and remote villages in the countryside and on the Tonle Sap lake. Bask in the luxuriant green of the rice paddies in planting season. Stand in awe beneath towering jungle waterfalls. And gain privileged access to modern Khmer performing artists from daredevil acrobats to mystical apsara dancers. Better yet, we do all this in the best light and with crowd avoidance at the forefront of our priorities. Simply put: There is no better way to travel as a passionate photographer.

Day 1 - Arrival in Siem Reap
You'll arrive in the quaint town of Siem Reap, gateway to the fabulous temples of Angkor. A member of the Angkor Travel Photography team will be waiting to greet you at the airport and transfer you to your relaxing riverside hotel. After check- in and some time to rest, we'll gather on the rooftop bar (weather permitting) to enjoy welcome drinks, get to know each other a little better, and set the scene for the adventures to come over the course of the tour.
Overnight in Siem Reap Welcome drinks/briefing Airport transfer

Day 2 - Angkor, Ancient Temples and Buddhist Pagodas
Day two begins with a bang: The mysterious Ta Prohm temple, packed with monstrous forest growth, at her quietest time of day and when the light is at its softest. The afternoon will be devoted to the colossal walled city of Angkor Thom, home to the iconic Bayon with her 200+ smiling faces. We’ll also have the unique chance to observe orange-robed monks and their unique buddhist rituals at one of the least-known pagodas within Angkor.

Day 3 - Pagodas, countryside life and floating village
Our day begins early in the morning with a visit to a monastery in a village a few kilometers from Siem Reap where you will have the opportunity to interact with and photograph Buddhist monks and their daily lives in the pagoda. In the afternoon, we will visit a floating village on the glassy waters of the Tonlé Sap lake. Here you will have the chance to photograph local life on the lake in an incredibly intimate manner as we travel by small rowing boat most of the year. Sunset will be enjoyed over the rice fields.

Overnight in Siem Reap
Daily Life in a monastery and floating Village of the Tonle Sap Lake

Day 4 - Phnom Kulen, waterfalls and buddhist pagoda
Day four will be spent among the pre-Angkorian findings at Mount Kulen; here we’ll marvel at the towering waterfall, the ancient reclining Buddha at the pagoda at the mountain top, and enjoy a picnic by the river of 1,000 linga.

Day 5 - Local market
Day five begins with one of Siem Reap town’s most incredible markets, the sprawling Phsar Leu, home to a host of co- lourful characters and produce unimaginable. After lunch, we ll travel to another rural province where first we lll review our images together.
Overnight in rural Province (Kompong Thom or Battambang)
Daily Life in a market
Travel to Rural Cambodia

Day 6 - Countryside activities
That day, we will explore the Cambodian countryside, witnessing a range of activities from rice farming to noodle mak- ing and meet people in their daily-life away from the tourist sites.

Day 7 - Countryside Life and Local Activities
We’ll spend and discover even more deeply the Cambodian countryside before heading back to Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap Daily Life in the countryside Travel back to Siem Reap

Day 8 - Angkor and life on the Tonle Sap lake
Back in the city of the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap, we will discover temples lost in the jungle where very few people venture. After lunch we visit Kampong Phluk, a village nestled at the edge of the Tonlé Sap Lake dubbed “The CIty on Stilts.” Take a boat out to the lake before returning to shoot in the village, where we’ll have the opportunity to experience local life quite unlike anywhere else.

Day 9 - Angkor sunrise, post processing session and Phare Circus
Day nine starts with what is arguably the most iconic site in Cambodia: the sun rising over the silhouetted towers of An- gkor Wat. We ll spend the rest of the morning reviewing your images. Spend the afternoon with privileged access to one of Cambodia’s most exciting modern performances, Phare, The Cambodian Circus; we’ll shoot the rehearsal and make-up, and afterwards have reserved VIP seating from which to photograph the show.
Overnight in Siem Reap Angkor Wat sunrise
Phare the Cambodian Circus

Day 10 - Countryside life and Remote Temples
This day will also allow us to see and discover some of the habits from the Khmer Rouge period during which Cambodians were dying of hunger, such as hunting tarantulas. In the afternoon we will have the chance to meet young bonzes novices and photograph them in an isolated temple.

Day 11 - Factory and Lotus farm
We will shoot inside a brick factory. In the afternoon we will meet fishermen not far from the lotus farm of the city and will attend our last sunset if the weather permits before sharing our last meal together.
Overnight in Siem Reap Daily Life in the countryside Farrel dinner

Day 12 - Departure
Depart day twelve.

COMFORT
4/5
While in Siem Reap, we will stay in very comfortable 4-star boutique accommodation, complete with swimming pool and a large complementary breakfast each morning. During our two-night stay in the countryside, the hotel standard will remain comfortable, though the amenities may be slightly more basic depending on the location.

EXPERIENCE
All levels
You don't need to be a master photographer to enjoy our tours. This adventure is designed for photographers of all levels - enthusiasm is more important than experience here.
Beginners through to advanced/ professional photographers alike can learn from the guidance
of our knowledgeable team of photographers.

EFFORT
2/5
You don't need to by an athlete to take part in our tours, though a reasonable standard of health/ fitness will help you enjoy the tour to the fullest. We often walk
several kilometres in each session, and climb/descend the occasional steep hill. Good balance will also help you to board boats etc. during the trip. If you have any concerns, just let us know.